University of Houston-Clear Lake’s School of Education named graduate student Ace Filipp and undergraduate Candace Harrison as recipients of the prestigious Dr. Patricia Potter Wilson School of Education Outstanding Graduate and Undergraduate Scholarships. Winners are chosen based on their academic achievements and demonstrated leadership capabilities. Filipp will complete a Master of Science in School Library and Information Science in May 2009. Harrison will complete a Bachelor of Science degree with EC-4 Generalist Certification in December 2009. Pictured are Associate Professor Emerita Patricia Wilson, Ace Filipp, Candace Harrison, and Wendell Wilson.

Outstanding education students named

University of Houston-Clear Lake graduate student Ace J. Filipp and undergraduate Candace Harrison were named recipients of the prestigious Dr. Patricia Potter Wilson School of Education Outstanding Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships. Winners are chosen based on their high academic achievement and demonstrated leadership.

Filipp and Harrison were each presented a plaque by UH-Clear Lake School of Education Dean Dennis W. Spuck, with family and friends, the Wilsons and UH-Clear Lake President William A. Staples also in attendance. The two winners’ names have been added to a permanent wall plaque on display in the dean’s office suite. The endowment creating the awards was established over 10 years ago by UH-Clear Lake School of Education Associate Professor Emerita Patricia Potter Wilson and her husband, Wendell Wilson, a retired captain for Delta Airlines.

Wilson, a retired educator, is also a community leader, business owner and author. She frequently serves as a member of various organizations and boards in Houston and the Clear Lake area. Wendell Wilson is also an avid community supporter, who enjoys working as a volunteer for non-profit organizations in the Clear Lake and Galveston areas.

Filipp, who is District Librarian for the Danbury Independent School District in his hometown of Danbury, Texas will complete his Master of Science in School Library and Information Science in spring 2009.  His current work includes oversight of two Danbury ISD school libraries, as well as district librarian responsibilities. Filipp completed an undergraduate degree in Museum Studies and History at Baylor College and worked at the Brazoria County Historical Museum before deciding to obtain certification to teach. He taught Texas History in the Alvin Independent School District for two years, and was named the Danbury District Librarian three years ago.

“I enjoy giving back to the community and school where I grew up,” he says.

The librarian position is particularly rewarding as it combines his museum studies and collection management with teaching.

 “With my background in museum studies I’ve learned to adapt the educational programs I did with hands on activities. I make the library an interactive place to teach kids about books and reading, and to tie in the books that we’re reading in the library with real life situations,” Filipp explains.

Demonstrating leadership abilities at both work and leisure, Filipp has served on five district leadership and planning committees, as well as serving on the Board of Directors of the local Brazoria County Red Cross. He helped operate a relief shelter for displaced victims of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Collaborating with the teachers in the school district, Filipp is leading a campaign among the Danbury fourth-graders to name the Texas State Amphibian. He solicited the help of State Representative Dennis Bonnen and State Senator Mike Jackson in drafting a House Resolution naming the Texas Toad, as voted upon by the kids, as the state amphibian. Through this effort students have learned not only about Texas history and government but also how to exercise a leadership role in society.

Undergraduate student Candace Harrison spent 10 years working in the medical world before opting to return to school in pursuit of an education degree. 

“It just sort of hit me,” she says as she began to become more involved with her 10-year old son’s classroom activities.

“This is what I want - working with children,” she explains. “Teachers don’t only open hearts and minds, they change lives in the process. That’s why I’ve put so much into my schooling. I’m committed and I feel I can make a change.”

Harrison has maintained a 4.0 grade point average and is currently on the Dean’s List. She is a member of the National Scholars Honor Society, and was recently inducted into the International Honor Society in Education, Kappa Delta Pi.  She will complete a Bachelor of Science degree with EC-4 Generalist Certification in December 2009 and begins student-teaching with Clear Creek ISD in January.

She believes that great teachers make great leaders and that they can inspire, empower, motivate and stimulate intellectual growth in their young students.

“Every child needs someone in their classroom who is passionate about what they do. My passion as a teacher will help motivate my students.”

Harrison has served as a substitute teacher at Goforth Elementary School for two years. She served on the school’s PTA board as the Youth Protection Chairman and has been involved with planning annual fund raising events and decision making activities.  For five years she has been the homeroom/helper mother for her son’s class, assisted with the school’s Robotics team, and has done volunteer work with the Bay Area Cub Scouts Pack 609.